The weekend belonged to Monaghan but somehow, despite their fairytale win, they haven’t got the recognition and praise they deserve.

To create history in the manner they did, bridging a 25-year gap and beating the reigning provincial and All-Ireland champions, is quite incredible.

To do it by implementing their tactics, imposing their physicality on the game from start to finish, was magnificent.

Malachy O’Rourke, his backroom team and the senior players in particular deserve big credit.

It’s not taking away from Monaghan whatsoever to say their job was made easier by Donegal’s woeful display. They looked like anything but champions – a shadow of the side that stood above the rest in 2012.

But isn’t it great to see the emergence of a new team? Vinny Corey immaculately marshalled Michael Murphy, Drew Wylie did a great job on Colm McFadden.

Colin Walshe is one of the best corner-backs around and was phenomenal on Paddy McBrearty. What a nightmare it must be to be marked by Walshe.

I highlighted Kieran Hughes beforehand as a matchwinner. He’s a Michael Murphy in the making – he’s different class.

He was majestic in the Division Three final and his three points from play in Clones were superb. The turning point was his two brilliant scores early in the second half. The Farney men went about their work with a savage discipline, hunting in packs but also tenaciously sticking to their individual tasks.

With a monumental physical and mental effort, they destroyed Donegal like men possessed. Two or three times Donegal tried to turn it but were bent into submission.

That not one Donegal forward scored from play was a very poor return. But Donegal don’t have enough good players to introduce a Plan B when things are going wrong.

When the Magees were exposed in defence there was no one to protect them. They were in trouble even before Mark McHugh had to withdraw. Only Neil Gallagher’s introduction stemmed the tide.

Donegal only have a six-day turnaround and it will be very hard to bounce back.

The word was that Donegal had trained extremely hard, were fresh and ready. Instead, they looked like they had a lot of lead in the legs.

Maybe the last two years are taking a toll. They need the Magees, McFadden, Karl Lacey and Gallagher back to top form, but will they win an All-Ireland now? I can’t see it. There are too many chinks in the armour.

So it’s a big ask but they can regroup and win in Carrick on Shannon, although Laois are dangerous away from home.

The pitch is tight enough and will suit Donegal. However their bench has very little to offer and given it’s a 20-man game now, that’s a big problem.

As for Monaghan, they were fully entitled to enjoy Monday and a couple of days downtime.

But they must quickly re-group ahead of the All-Ireland quarter-finals because they have the potential to become a much better side.

Playing at Croke Park could improve them; it should suit them and the shackles are off now.

For the likes of Dick Clerkin and Tommy Freeman, Sunday’s win is what it’s all about after wondering if they should pack it in at different times.

It was a great pleasure to watch them get their reward and if they can maintain that ruthless streak, full concentration and improve their attack, they’ll be hard to beat.These guys do have a chance to upset a lot of the sides left standing.